As Jadeveon Clowney prepares for his first game as a Dallas Cowboy, the recently acquired edge rusher has more than just football on his mind.
Clowney, 32, was arrested on Sept. 12 in his South Carolina hometown of Rock Hill on misdemeanor charges of trespassing and failure to identify following a parking dispute at an apartment complex, according to a police report obtained by multiple outlets.
Two days later, Clowney signed with the Cowboys as a free agent, hoping to shore up the team’s pass rush in wake of the Micah Parsons trade.
Why Was Jadeveon Clowney Arrested?
According to the incident report, police were monitoring a lot to prevent drivers from parking during a nearby high school football game.
Police say Clowney was stopped while entering the lot and told them he was “probably going to the football game,” but that his aunt lived in the apartment complex.
The report states Clowney was told repeatedly he couldn’t park in the lot because he did not live there, and that his car would be towed if he did.
Clowney then became “highly argumentative, boisterous, and talked loudly over the reporting officer,” according to the report, and refused multiple requests to show police his identification before he was arrested.
What Did Jadeveon Clowney Say About His Arrest?
Clowney said Friday after practice that he’s “frustrated” and plans to dispute the charges in court.
“It was a parking situation and just escalated,” Clowney said, via ESPN’s Todd Archer, adding it’s the first time he’s been arrested. “If you know anything about South Carolina, where I’m from, you know how that can go left very fast and that kind of went left.”
Clowney said he spent no more than 20 minutes in jail before being released.
The Cowboys (1-1) have yet to determine if Clowney will play Sunday against the Chicago Bears (0-2). Archer cited a team spokesman who said Clowney’s arrest will have no bearing on their decision.
“I’ve been practicing, we’ll see how it goes,” Clowney said, via the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins. “It’s not my first time (practicing). I’ve done it about three times. Whoever they got playing man, I’m just looking forward for the opportunity to get out there and get going.”
The Cowboys are Clowney’s fourth different team in the last four seasons. The 2014 No. 1 overall pick recorded 5.5 sacks in 14 games for the Carolina Panthers in 2024.
Clowney made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014-16 with the Houston Texans and has 58 sacks, 409 tackles, 15 forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries in 140 career games.
